1

Social Anxiety:
Yes, there are many differences. Selective mutism is most often seen in children, while social anxiety disorder is typically seen from adolescence through adulthood. Social anxiety is related to fear (and sometimes avoidance) of interpersonal interaction in social situations, while selective mutism is a refusal or unwillingness to speak in some or most situations.
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An anxiety disorder in which a person is preoccupied and self conscious of his or her behaviour in public and during social interactions. He or she often feels the center of judgement and that he or she is not fit enough, so quite often avoids parites, meetings, eating in public, or even asking questions all because of fear of being judged negatively. Treatment includes both medications and CBT, and is very effective.
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2

Social anxiety:
Excellent question. Most times it is not easy to differentiate the two, however, in selective mutism the anxiety is in situations where strangers are present & the patient is shy, but he/she has no problem communicating with people at home. In social anxiety, there is intense irrational fear of being watched, evaluated or scrutinized by others, and here the avoidance is extreme.
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3

Seek Help:
It is important to make sure you are involed with therapy to help provide support in coping with anxiety. In addition you need to strongly consider medication treatment if you are not already taking medication. Some of the antidepressants have been shown to be helpful for social anxiety. It is likely that your selective mutism is connected to anxiety, and medication may help for that as well.
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4

Too scared to talk:
Social anxiety involves a fear of being judged negatively by others or being seen as inferior 2 them in some way. This leads 2 dreading social situations & social interactions, & thus 2 avoiding them. Selective mutism is tied 2 social anxiety: At times, people w/social anxiety find themselves so fearful in social situations that it's difficult 2 speak. Some simply don't speak in these situations.
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6

Why is the key.:
Selective mutism is a Dx based upon behaviors. Social phobia involves motivations and fears (internal processes) often w/ behavioral avoidance.
Over time, the selectively mute individual may come to understand the reason for their failure to speak in certain situations (e.g. trauma, social anxiety), or not.
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7

Difference of Degree:
Shyness refers to a personality trait that is relatively common. Social anxieity disorder is a much more disabling condition in which a person's functioning is significantly impaired by anxiety related to social settings and situations.
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9

Functioning:
Severity is often a function of subjective distress (how much it is distressing or bothersome), how many situations or circumstances it impacts, and how much disruption or interferences it causes. For more on social anxiety disorder see: http://cpancf.Com/articles_files/socialanxietydisorderwhatis.Asp.
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10

Face your fears.:
I don't know anyone who initially feels comfortable with the idea of having a mental health condition or with seeing a mental health provider. If you want to move past this - you need to move through it first. Seek help from a psychiatrist ;/or psychologist. Good luck.
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11

Monitoring is key:
Probably the best are the ones that are prescribed and monitored by a physician. These medications that are the best in some cases can be the worst if they are taken incorrectly. There are pro's and con's to all of them. If you are considering anxiety medication your doctor will take into account your personal history and needs and try to find the one that is best for you.
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12

Therapy +/- meds:
Many individuals respond to congitive-behavioral therapy, individually or in groups. Some people benefit from medicaiton, and some combination therapy. A former resident and i put together a web-page: http://cpancf.Com/articles_files/overcomingsocialanxietydisorder.Asp.
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13

It often is:
Although it's first intended use is for major depression, it (like many or most psychotropic drugs) is used off-label for other conditions. My bias, particularly in this case - social anxiety disorder - is at least to include if not primarily use talk therapy. Learning how to manage the problem provides lifetime benefits w/out side effects. A pill only works when you take it. You're the same.
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15

Talk to:
A psychologist or counselor who treats anxiety. The most effective treatments are relaxation training (sometimes with the aid of biofeedback) plus cognitive therapy that includes gradual exposure to anxiety-producing situations in imagination and real life. Therapy is sometimes augmented with medication and is quite successful.
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17

Some:
Biofeedback will help you to manage and control anxiety symptoms, but to help social anxiety you will need to also get graduated exposure (doing things that seems scary, but starting with easy things and working up the list until you master them).
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18

Nothing:
Please forgive my frankness. Social anxiety disorder is highly treatable in almost all cases by talking and wise guidance. You owe it to yourself and others to re-learn social skills that may have been twisted in a confusing early envrionment. You can learn to be brave & to behave effectively, to like and to be liked by others. Choose a guide wisely. You must be brave -- no pill can supply thay.
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19

Anxiety & Dating:
Well, if you have social anxiety you won't have "normal" dating. If you are truly interested in overcoming your social anxiety, seek treatment. Treatment could be very effective and assist you with this desire.
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Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave, and they can manifest real physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, having a serious impact on daily life.
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